Viral beauty products not working out for you? Try a skincare tea detox instead

Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence, $139, Fresh from Sephora

Credit: Sephora

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Unleash your skin’s full potential and start by regaining its luminosity with the Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence from Fresh. Fermented black tea, otherwise also known as Kombucha, unveils an unreal glow with its natural antioxidant-rich properties that help exfoliate, soothe and strengthen the skin when used topically. It also helps with skin texture and protects against environmental pollution as well as blue light to address concerns such as dryness and dull complexions. Coupled with hyaluronic acid, artemisia flower extract, and advanced metabiotic, the concoction visibly restores and repairs negative effects from oxidative stress such as wrinkles and fine lines, while delivering utmost hydration and clearer skin.

Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner, $27.12, Isntree from Shopee

Credit: Isntree

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Green tea might just be the ingredient you need to refresh your skin especially if it is breaking out at the moment. It may not be a stranger to us, but the extent to which it benefits our health and skin is endless. From being a natural protector of UV rays and free radicals to delivering hydration as well as tightening pores, green tea does it all. The Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner is one you need to have stashed on your vanity. Made with 80% Jeju harvested green tea, it is packed with a ton of amino acids, polyphenols and minerals that bring down inflammation and promotes healing. Apart from the above, the caffeine in green tea helps erase dark eye circles, control sebum production, and combat acne. If you have sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin, this toner is a winner.

​​The Essence Skincare Boosting Treatment, $185, Tatcha from Sephora

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The next time you are saving the water from washing rice for your skin, try The Essence Skincare Boosting Treatment from Tatcha for more effective results instead. To go on a true skincare detox (or tea-tox, if you will) would also mean the fewer the ingredients, the better. Tatcha has perfected this sentiment in the form of incorporating three superfoods, rice, algae, and Uji green tea, which are also the beating heart of the Japanese diet, into the form of an essence. The proprietary blend of Hadasei-3™ hydrates and plumps the complexion and slows signs of ageing. A no-nonsense formula made to fortify the skin barrier, the fermented Akita rice, Okinawa algae and Uji matcha works harmoniously to deliver rich antioxidants, nutrients and amino acids that permeate the skin to heal and give rise to a smooth and well-hydrated, mochi-like skin. The silky essence also helps better absorb the skincare steps to follow, such as your moisturiser.

Facial Spray With Aloe, Chamomile And Lavender, $14, Mario Badescu from Sephora

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Although small in size, this bottle sizzles with a powerful concoction of calming Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender that soothes, calms and cools off your skin with a spritz. With everything your skin is sure to love thoughtfully poured into an unassuming packaging, this lilac bottle also contains Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) that protects your skin from ageing by stimulating collagen production while helping with evening out skin tone. Chamomile extracts, as with Vitamin C, also helps to defend your skin against free radical damage which reduces premature ageing such as early onset of wrinkles and increased hyperpigmentation. It is also anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial properties, which helps greatly with eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Lavender on the other hand, reduces redness and helps combat acne. Other natural and beneficial ingredients included in this formula are thyme and seaweed extracts that deliver tons of antioxidants and nourishes your complexion. Mist it anywhere you like, including your face, neck and hair for a dewy, healthy finish on the go.

Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque, $60, from Aesop

Credit: Aesop

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Another stellar Chamomile infused product that does wonders includes the Anti-Blemish Masque from Aesop. Great for calming red, inflamed and angry areas, the masque eradicates blemishes and effortlessly alleviates stressed skin. Other key ingredients in this clay-based mask also include tea-tree leaf and evening primrose, which soothes troubled skin as it encourages wound healing, has antibacterial properties, and promotes enhanced radiancy all the while reducing redness and signs of ageing for a clearer complexion.

Mugwort Essence, $56.90, I’m From from Guardian

Credit: Guardian

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While mugwort is an acquired taste when consumed as a beverage or when used to whip up a savoury dish, there is no denying its potent health benefits. Made with 100% mugwort extract harvested from Ganghwa, South Korea, this pure and undiluted essence by I’m From purifies skin and reduces irritation quickly. It also addresses dry skin and replenishes moisture gently, while also eradicating redness, rough textures, and breakouts. If you struggle with rosacea or hot flashes, this liquid gold helps cool off the complexion by reducing heat and greatly calms inflammation. It also offers itch relief for when eczema flares up, and its gentle formula is especially safe for sensitive skin types. Use it as a DIY 5-minute sheet mask with cotton pads or pat the product into your skin for a quick boost of hydration and glow.

Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum EX, from $180, from Sulwhasoo

Credit: Sulwhasoo

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Deeply ingrained in Korea’s history, ginseng heals and nourishes the body both inside and out. Harnessing the rejuvenating power of the greatly sought after root, Sulwhasoo has unlocked the secret to a more resilient and age-defying complexion with its Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum EX. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, the ginseng is also an antioxidant powerhouse that drives away free radical damage and boosts collagen production. Expect an increase in skin elasticity, firmness, and tautness with this miracle in a bottle that absorbs into the skin rapidly, and bask in a newly found confidence stemming from a renewed youthful radiance.

Cream Skin Cerapeptide™ Refiner, Laneige from Shopee

Credit: Laneige

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A holy grail for many, Laneige has recently launched the second generation of the best-selling Cream Skin Refiner with an improved formula. Inside this 2-in-1 toner plus moisturiser formula lies an incorporation of white leaf tea which has since doubled its quantity as compared to the original bottle. With an added boost of white tea extracts, the new Cream Skin Cerapeptide™ Refiner greatly helps with reducing skin redness, soothing of irritated areas and assisting in wound healing, especially when it has three times more amino acids as compared to the regular green tea. It also helps with protecting the skin against signs of ageing as well as UV damage. The new formula also aids in better moisture retention, enhanced radiance, and a stronger skin barrier.